The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
A Tale of Two Dragonborn
Chapter 1: A Plea for Help
Disclaimer: I do not own the Elder Scrolls Series. Please Review.
How had it come to this? He was trying to keep a promise to his father, his father's one last dying request. And now he was a prisoner. Kaivar Sky-Wing looked slightly to his left and saw the Imperial soldier driving the carriage. "Hey. You're finally awake." a voice came from in front of him.
Kaivar turned his head and noticed a Nord man with long blonde hair and a rugged beard. He was wearing chain-mail armor with a blue shawl wrapped around it. He had fur boots and gauntlets. The man was going on about how he fell into the same ambush as him and the horse thief next to him. "Damn you Stormcloaks. Skyrim was just fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. I could've stolen that horse and been halfway to Hammerfell by now." the thief whined.
'Some Nord' Kaivar thought to himself. The two Nords went back and forth with each other. Kaivar was absently listening. The horse thief was from Rorikstead and the fourth man on the carriage was Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the rebellion. Eventually they all came to a stop in Helgen. They got off the carriage and a Nord legionnaire began reading names of a list. "Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm." he said.
The gagged Jarl walked to the line. "Ralof of Riverwood." this time contempt leaked into the soldier's voice.
The Nord who sat across from him walked to line. "Lokir of Rorikstead." the soldier drawled.
"You won't kill me!" Lokir shouted before bolting towards the far gate.
An Imperial captain sighed. "Archers!" she shouted.
Within seconds Lokir was dead on the ground with arrows sticking out of his body. "Anyone else want to try to escape? Good. Next prisoner." she ordered.
"Wait, you there, step forward." the soldier said.
Kaivar looked at him and walked forward. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Kaivar Sky-Wing of Kvatch." he replied.
"You chose a bad time to come home to Skyrim kinsman. I'm sorry." the soldier lamented with sincerity flooding his words.
He walked to the line. An Imperial general lectured Stormcloak about his actions. A strange sound echoed before executing some nameless Stormcloak rebel. The strange sound pierced the air once more, but the Imperials ignored it. "Next. The Nord in the rags!" the captain shouted.
Kaivar walked forward. Divines he was going to die. 'Akatosh, Kynareth, Mara, Dibella, Talos. Grant me peace in Sovngarde' Kaivar mentally prayed. He was forced down to the executioner's block when a dark shadow flew through the clouds. "What in Oblivion is that!?" the General asked.
"It's in the clouds!" an Imperial shouted.
The dark shape landed on the tower and Kaivar's eyes widened. "Dragon!" the General shouted.
The dragon roared and the sky lit on fire as meteors rained down on Helgen. The executioner and Imperial captain died. Kaivar struggled to stand and saw Ralof beckoning for him to follow. Kaivar bolted behind Ralof and wound up in a tower with two Stormcloaks and Ulfric. "Jarl Ulfric, could the legends be true?" Ralof asked.
"Legends don't burn down villages." he replied.
Kaivar looked towards the stairway and ran up. He hoped to find a means of escape. Suddenly the dragon burst through the wall and destroyed the stairs before leaving to attack elsewhere. Kaivar jumped out of the hole into the inn. He ran outside and saw the Imperial soldier from before saving a small child. "So you made it? Stay with me prisoner if you want to live." he told Kaivar.
He left the boy with an old man. "Gods guide you Hadvar." he told the soldier.
Kaivar and Hadvar made their way to the general, whose name was Tullius, before fleeing to the keep. Ralof and a few Stormcloak soldiers were across from them. "Ralof you damn traitor!" Hadvar shouted.
"You can't stop us Hadvar." Ralof replied.
"Fine, I hope that dragon sends you all to Sovngarde!" Hadvar shouted.
Hadvar and Ralof went through different doors. Kaivar followed Hadvar. "Let's see if I can't remove those binds." Hadvar offered.
Hadvar undid the knots. "There's some contraband over there. Help yourself." Hadvar instructed.
Kaivar went over to the chest and opened it. Inside he found some studded armor and iron gauntlets. On the shelf next to him he found some iron boots, an iron helmet, and a steel sword. After putting everything on, he and Hadvar walked through the keep. That's when Kaivar woke up. He shot up in his bed with cold sweat on his brow. He always dreamt of Helgen these days, even after Alduin was defeated. Kaivar looked over to his sleeping wife, Sylgja, before going downstairs. Hjerim was a beautiful home. He preferred it to his other steadings despite it being in the former Stormcloak capital. He noticed Calder, his Housecarl, sitting at the table drinking some mead. "My Thane." he acknowledged.
Kaivar smiled. "Calder I'm going out for a while." Kaivar explained.
"Of course my Thane, safe travels." Calder replied.
Kaivar smiled and picked up his gear. He put on his set of Dragonplate armor and sheathed the Dragonbone sword and dagger he always carried. His wedding ring went over the gauntlet and Kyne's Token was tucked away safely under the armor. He walked out into the cool Windhelm air. He found himself thinking of all the foes he's defeated, Alduin the World-Eater, Lord Harkon, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, and even Miraak the first Dragonborn. Kaivar, being the last Dragonborn, was used to fighting impossible odds by now. Nowadays he had many friends. He was the Harbinger of the Companions in Whiterun, the Arch-Mage at the College of Winterhold, and a Legate in the Imperial Legion. His father would be proud. "Kaivar." a voice came from behind him. He turned and saw someone he never thought he'd see again.
"Ralof?" Kaivar asked.
"Yes. It's me." Ralof said.
Ralof no longer bore his armor. Instead he had rags on. His hair and beard had become disheveled. "What are you doing here Ralof? In case you've forgotten, you're a wanted man." Kaivar chided.
"I know. I need help." he explained.
"Why would I ever help you?" Kaivar asked.
"Because I helped you in Helgen, and because... we're family." he replied.
